We wish you Happy Winter Solstice. On Sunday, the longest night occurred. Now the days will be growing longer again. In ancient times, our ancestors had to endure the long cold, dark winter without the conveniences we have today that keep us warm and cozy. When they noticed the sun falling lower and lower in the sky, they probably feared that it would disappear and never rise again. At the Solstice, the sun actually appears to stop in the sky. (The word “solstice” comes from the Latin “solstitium,” meaning “sun stands still.”) They might have feared that the sun had frozen. They didn’t take for granted that the sun would reappear and the days would grow longer again.

So they probably felt compelled to perform certain rituals to ensure that the worst would not happen. They lit candles and bonfires to bring more light to the long night. They held community gatherings where they danced, prayed and meditated together. Coming together in the darkest night helped diminish their fears and gave them solace and hope.

Over time, when they realized that the sun always starts to grow higher in the sky after the Winter Solstice, they considered the day a holy day — a holiday to celebrate the triumph of light overcoming darkness. They feasted and shared food, which strengthened bonds and honored the spirit of community. They considered the day after the solstice as the beginning of the new year. A new beginning. A time of rebirth and renewal.

Take note! Celebrate! Rise! Have Hope! Light prevails over darkness! It always has and always will.

Happy Winter Solstice. Happy Hanukkah (which ends Monday), Merry Christmas, Happy New Year — all these holidays celebrate light and rebirth one way or another.

Swami Nirmalananda says, “The high points in life are when you’re shining with light, loving, generous, joyful and peaceful. You want to be that way all the time …[That’s] who you really are.”

That’s the spirit of the season. Yoga’s purpose is to help you uncover and discover who you really are, and to recover from who you thought you were. Let your light shine. That light is yours, no matter what the season and no matter how much or how little sunlight you are getting. Don’t depend entirely on the Winter Solstice to turn you around! The nights will still be long for a while. Depend on your Self, your inner source of light.

Remember to breathe and smile! Our friends and former students Tony and Noreen Fernandes sent us a card that reads:

“Let your smile change the world.

But don’t let the world change your smile.”